Media Release: Council view on ward boundaries must be transparent
Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 17th of April, 2008
Cr. Alex Makin has condemned Maroondah City Council for its failure to adequately represent the community over proposed ward boundary changes.
“Community consultation held in November last year made it clear that the community supported the introduction of a new ward structure including multi-member wards,” Cr. Makin said.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is required to undertake a review of council wards every second term. The VEC’s preliminary report found that substantial change was required within Maroondah to ensure that communities were sufficiently represented.
“Council’s advocacy campaign was not endorsed by council and is a simply another tactic of the closed door mentality that operates in Maroondah,” Cr. Makin said. “This thinly veiled attempt at bullying our community is typical of the ‘gang of four’ who benefit from this lack of scrutiny.”
Maroondah Council is proposing to submit a further submission to the VEC in favour of retaining the current ward structure. Neither the final submission or the petition calling on community support have been formally endorsed by council.
“I call on the community to see through council’s latest stunt and to support the changes that are necessary to ensure a higher standard of democracy and representation within Maroondah. Should council fail to uphold basic democratic principles I will be considering action against this abuse of process,” Cr. Makin concluded.
About Alex Makin:
Alex Makin was elected in November 2005 as the Councillor for Loughnan’s Hill ward in the City of Maroondah. Alex, currently the youngest councillor elected within the history of the City of Maroondah and just one of several councillors Victoria wide aged under 30, has a keen interest in sustainability, including public transport, planning and community engagement.
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES: CR. ALEX MAKIN ON 0408 311 645
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Maroondah Journal: More councillors, less wards under electoral boundary changes , Media Release: Youth in councils - a critical situation , VEC Preliminary Submission - Achieving a cohesive Maroondah community , VEC Panel Hearing for the Maroondah Representation Review , VEC to be congratulated for enhancing local democracy
Category: Community Engagement, Maroondah, Media Releases
